We're ready to die: Protestors

HARARE - Despite suffering savage beatings, ongoing harassment by authorities and being locked up for fighting for change in the country over the past few weeks, protesting democracy activists say they are ready to die for the cause and will not rest until President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu PF either shapes up or ships out.

Speaking in an interview with the Daily News yesterday, mobilisation committee member for pressure group Tajamuka/Sesijikile, Happymore Chidziva, said even though the government was ratcheting up its “persecution” of dissenting voices, they had vowed “to die on our feet” until Zanu PF heard the cries of long-suffering Zimbabweans.

“We are very committed to the struggle and even prepared to die. We are not intimidated by these arrests and we know these arrests are meant to instil fear in us. But no amount of thuggery or fear will deter us,” he said.

Chidziva’s came after police arrested and put in the slammer Tajamuka/Sesijikile spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi, on Friday — on allegations of causing public violence on June 16 this year.

Home Affairs minister Ignatius Chombo has also warned Zimbabweans that the government will deal ruthlessly with all acts of resistance and mass action in the country.

In addition, panicking authorities have also since indicated that they are even prepared to set the military on the people, as well as hunt and clamp down on activists operating on social media, who are agitating for change.

People protest in Ruwa last week.

During last week’s riots in Harare and the subsequent stunningly successful nationwide stay-away, hundreds of activists were either arrested, mauled by police dogs or left for dead by government agents, as the clamour for a better Zimbabwe reached a crescendo.

“Our collective resolve and determination has shaken the rogue regime, leaving it in a state of shock and panic.

“The brutal response by the regime to our cause on the #Shutdown is a depiction of the level of fear within the once mighty Zanu PF. The regime has never been so afraid and overwhelmed by fear like what we witnessed last week,” Chidziva said.

The MDC youth leader added that all “patriotic Zimbabweans should remain resolute as the Zanu PF regime is now on a knife edge and teetering on the brink of collapse”.

“To all arrested patriots, it is only such collective resolve and determination that will bring the Zimbabwe which we have yearned for for years. This is the only remedy available to us for the regime to respect and listen to the calls by citizens.

“Instead of trying to silence the masses through brutality and arrests, the regime should be establishing mechanisms to confront the difficulties and poverty facing our people.

“I want to express solidarity with Zimbabweans across the country who have fallen victim to the cowardly and arbitrary State arrests. This is the highest form of State persecution and has to be condemned at all levels.

“Among many patriots who have fallen victim to state persecution, I am very disturbed by the arrest of Mkwanazi and the denial of his justice in the courts at the weekend,” Chidziva said.

People protest in Epworth last week.

On Wednesday, Zimbabweans staged a mega countrywide general strike which shook Zanu PF to its core, with a seemingly staggered Mugabe saying dejectedly on Friday that the “demonstrators do not understand”.

From Harare to Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare, Masvingo, Kwekwe, Beitbridge, Bindura, Chipinge and other smaller towns, all the major urban areas resembled haunted ghost towns as Zimbabweans heeded the social media-driven call to shutdown the country for the day.

Even the normally bustling Mbare marketplace in the capital had an eerie feel to it.

Many businesses, including banks and large retail shops — particularly in high density suburbs — also closed their doors for the day, with very few commuter omnibuses on the roads to ferry travellers.

In the meantime, Pastor Evan Mawarire, who leads the #ThisFlag movement, has urged Zimbabweans to send another resounding message to authorities this coming Wednesday and Thursday.

“In the face of intimidation, abductions and arrests, we are determined to be builders of a better Zimbabwe than the one we have #ThisFlag,” he wrote on his twitter account as Zimbabweans brace for another shutdown this week.

“Citizens there is no going back on #ShutDownZimbabwe2016, on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 July. This government cannot threaten us and think it’s ok, #ThisFlag,” Mawarire added.

Meanwhile, Mugabe and his senior Zanu PF colleagues have blamed a so-called ‘‘third force’’ for the growing unrest in the country, further angering many Zimbabweans who feel insulted by the claims.

Another political activist, Patson Dzamara, also told the Daily News yesterday that Mugabe and Zanu PF should prepare for their exit from power, that the ongoing incidences of police brutality were giving people more energy to fight the regime.

“Whatever the security agents are trying to do people are now ready. The ongoing harassment by police is fuelling people to fight for a better Zimbabwe. The police’s actions are giving Zimbabweans more energy to demand their freedom,” he said.

Comments (26)

This time no stone Rekeni tinenge tichirova tirikure, tinenge tichida misoro yemapurisa ngavabve maziso tione kuti vanono rapwa nani. Rekeni pamberi munhu kumashure. Mugabe you are a fool, why do you keep on forcing your self on us, we have long rejected you, you know that, If you got support as you may want the people to believe you, why beating people that you said support you. Urimboko mudhara iwe, Tajamuka, very soon urikufa and hure rako richaona moto netuma bastard twevana vako

Govt - 11 July 2016

the misguided elements are obviously smoking something or is it that they know that they wont lead from the front thus throwing other peoples children who are gullible to the front line,as i have maintained,the people are free to raise their grievances but it must not be in a manner that violates other peoples rights

At last. .."We are ready to die"!!!... That's the spirit needed to see us through the turbulent times ahead. The people's rights have been violated for far too long by this government which is illegit, having rigged elections to get into power. The gullible police are being used to harass and ill-treat their brothers and sisters whilst the big chefs sit in offices and Loot. Shame on you ZANU and time for you to make way for people who love our ZIM.

Dunlop Munjanja - 11 July 2016

What is happening now is inevtable no matter how much the youth can be suppressed. The people in power must understand that most of the affected members of our population was born after 1980 and those born in 1980 are now 36 years old and are family men who have no means of survival.Those born in 1980 finished high school around 2000 when the economy had already been distroyed.Since then some of them have never been gainfully employed and to tell that group of people about who liberated Zimbabwe and threatening them about going to war does not make sense to them.Them never witnessed the war of liberation and have also not enjoyed the fruits of liberation so to them its game. Mr President is an educated man and he knows that the full cycle is almost complete now.

chimuti - 11 July 2016

getaway Mugabe with police that you claim its yours yet they the most suffering civil servants with broken shoes&torn faded uniforms just like mafudzambudzi dzachembera.This time the wheel is turning only days will tell.Wakadyiswa nehurerakoka now you're totally confused&blind folded FOOL

samiel jacobs - 11 July 2016

Mapuruvheya munopfeka bhutsu dzakabvaruka, underwear dzinezvigamba nehembe dzisisina colour but you are busy propping up a failed regime. You rent in our houses yet you terrorise us. These days you must know that your safety and that of your families is not guaranteed in the townships.

Madhebhura - 11 July 2016

At least a lesson was learnt last week. U get a befitting beating for a bottle of hot staff, useless youths, we wont allow despondence in this country. Yakarwirwa iyi Zimbabwe and ndeyeropa

DK - 11 July 2016

At least a lesson was learnt last week. U get a befitting beating for a bottle of hot staff, useless youths, we wont allow despondence in this country. Yakarwirwa iyi Zimbabwe and ndeyeropa

DK - 11 July 2016

Police should know better, we llive with them in the same area, so if they think kuti Zanu is protecting them varikunyepa,we will hunt them down and their families, for every civilian who dies, one police officer must also die

OBAMALIOUS - 11 July 2016

Frogs like Dk & truth will be popped out. You, plus your soldiers and your police and tanks will be outnumbered. !5 million vs vangani?

Sagitarr - 11 July 2016

the police are mandated to protect lawabiding citizens without fear,citizens that dont share the same feelings as those crying over baked beans and mayonaisse should never be cowed to join struggles they dont identify with,they should be given the right to go about their usual business and let those who thuink by staying in a hotel for two years mpoko should be blamed for all their woes,we are not losing any sleep as we have full confidence in the ZRP to deal with any misfits threatening our peace,only an idiots believes the gallant police force members should turn a blind eye to their nefarious activities on the basis that some of their members dont own homes,this struggle over baked beans does not resonate wuith the masses and its doomed to fail and get crushed

truth - 11 July 2016

@Truth what really are you trying and failing to say? You refer to people making calls for government accountability misguided elements really? I suppose you missed an English lesson when the term misguided was introduced and defined or you got the definition of it from a Boader Gezi Graduate Teacher who associate every who disagrees with the status quo misguided elements. Well from a diametrical perspective, I see your motive. You simply want to discourage people from criticizing your regime so that finish looting the little left of our resources. We are marking people like you up to the end so that you will also account for your role in propping up this Nikivu mandated regime of yours. Mark my words!

What ZANU PF thugs should know is that there is no going back as they too are clueless on anything to touch to rescue the economy. If you hear someone who is called a president talking about bond notes, you realize that the system has collapsed.

Zvichapera - 11 July 2016

i stand for the truth and i will never join your bandwagon @ndabazezwe,yu can mark me all yu want,if yu claim to be democrats what then worries yu if i have a different opinion to yours,just like your stayaways yu are coercing people to join yu think yu can make me sacrifice my values,freedom of conscience is guaranteed in our constitution,as zimbos we have different struggles and visions and mine is not over mayonaisse like yu,as for marking me thats laughable,very laughable gcinaumuzi wakho baba viki

truth - 11 July 2016

Vakomana compose songs for this struggle because its time to fight for our freedom from the black colonisers. Their time is up, they think they can print newsprint to replace our hard earned money, they think they can ban imports to prop up their choppies, alpha omega while Zimbabweans cannot have a single decent meal. NO NO NO NO taramba, Tatojamuka izvezvi, No going back people, if we go back we will be slaves and slaves for ever. Pull down this corrupt government, izvezvi vanoti havazivi kuti mari ye madiamonds yakaendepi, whilst they are the governing - what type of government. They are no longer fit. PAMBERI NECHIMURENGA 3, #THIS FLAG, TAJAMUKA.

Chimurenga - 12 July 2016

History does not deter Mugabe, as there is now references to the successful revolt. its time protest engage with another demonistration

Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 is the shutdown. Let no kombi be found on the road. We implore Zimbabweans to heed this call. Let your staff take the two days off. A little sacrifice so we can all be free. Musatya vana boss venyu.

shutdown 2 - 12 July 2016

truth you are a fool

patriot - 12 July 2016

truth, YOU HAVE SOME BASIC PROBLEMS OF PERCEPTION. HAVING REALISED THAT YOU HAVE A DEMOCRATIC RIGHT TO YOUR OWN POINT OF VIEW, AND SEEING AS YOU DO THAT THIS IS A PLATFORM IN WHICH ONLY DEMOCRATS THRIVE, WHY DON'T YOU DO THE HONORABLE THING ANDLEAVE US ALONE AND GO TO THE HERALD WHERE THEYARE WAITING FOR YOU TO LIE TO THE GULLIBLE MASSES THAT MUGABE IS RIGHT? I WOULD NOT EVEN CALL YOU A FOOL BECAUSE THE MORE YOU TALK THE MORE YOU EXPOSE YOUR FOLLY. NDIMI TYPE DZINOVHIYISWA MBUDZI PADARE. I'M SURPRISED WE STILL HAVE PPL LIKE YOU AMONGST US, YOU ARE A SHAMEIF YOU CAN NOT SEE THAT MUGABE HAS DESTROYED OUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY WITH HIS MIGUIDED POLICIES. THAT IS WHY HE ARRESTED CHAVHUNDUKA AND THE OTHER GUY FOR WRITING THE TRUTH ABOUT HIS ILLEGAL MARRIAGE TO GRACE. MUBABE IS DOOMED. MARK MY WORDS, AND YOU TOO, U ARE A GONER

IsheZimuto - 12 July 2016

Dear Zimbabweans, I love you for your courage. Do not even dare waste your precious time listening to liers called truth. these truth characters are the very same ppl who are benefiting from activities of the illegal regime in Zimbabwe. truth is amongst the ppl who stole diamonds from Chiadzwa, depriving the suffering masses of our country. on thew other hand, Mugabe has the tenacity to say kuti, 'handiende'. I have never seen such arrogance from a sitting head of state. ALL ZIMBABWEANS ARISE FROM YOUR SLUMBER AND REVOLT

IsheZimuto - 12 July 2016

Cry cry cry my beloved country, one day in the not so distant future, you shall stop crying.....

Den - 12 July 2016

this is trully impressive. zimbo's generally mind their own like if my things are going well, then stuff everyone else so to see us so united is trully impressive!! mind you, as united as we are, we are not all friends, maybe counterparts. hezvo!! i'm losing focus, let me shut up...

hezvo! - 13 July 2016

Let us pray for the beloved country.

Believer - 14 July 2016

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